Synthesis of 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkanes

ABSTRACT

Several novel syntheses have been discovered for preparation of 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkanes and their derivatives. Trans isomers of polysubstituted quinoxalin-2-ones may now be prepared.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 916,640 filed June 19, 1978, U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,512, which in turn is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 835,066 filed Sept. 21, 1977, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Organic materials, whether natural or synthetic, are conventionally protected against degradation by ultraviolet (UV) light by incorporating a UV light stabilizer in the material. Many classes of compounds are known to be useful UV light stabilizers, some being more effective than others. Particularly effective compounds, which provide compositions resistant to degradtion by UV light, include the decahydroquinolines, disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,069,195 and 4,073,770; the 1,5-diazacycloalkanes and 2-keto-1,5-diazacycloalkanes disclosed in copending U.S. patent Ser. No. 835,069, U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,228; and, the 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkanes disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 835,065, U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,571. Other cycloalkanes useful as UV light stabilizers are disclosed in Ger. Offen. 2,315,042; Japanese Pat. Nos. 7,453,571 and 7,453,572; and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,919,234, 3,920,659 and 3,928,330 which teach substituted piperazinediones.

The substituted piperazinediones are difficult to prepare, particularly with dialkyl substituents on each of two N⁴ -adjacent symmetrical carbon atoms (hereafter "symmetrical C atoms"). Once prepared, however, they may be reduced to the tetraalkyl substituted piperazine as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 239,350 (Ger. Offen. 2,315,042). There is no suggestion as to how a mono-keto structure, that is a 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkane structure, may be prepared with a total of two or more (hence "polysubstituted") substituents on symmetrical C atoms. A method for preparing polysubstituted 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkanes by reacting a cyclic or acyclic 1,2-diamine with an acyclic or cyclic cyanohydrin in the presence of a suitable organic solvent, and in the presence of aqueous NaOH at ambient temperature and pressure, in the presence of an onium salt catalyst in conjunction with a haloform (referred to as "the cyanohydrin synthesis"), is discosed in the parent of this application.

It is known that 4,4,6,6-tetramethyl-1,5-diazacycloheptan-2-one may be prepared by a Schmidt's rearrangement of a six-membered ring with sodium azide (see German Pat. No. 2,428,877) but there is no known manner of similarly arriving at a six membered 1,4-diaza ring with an N¹ -adjacent carbonyl.

It is known 1,4-diaza(3,3,5,5)-dipentamethylene-2-one may be prepared, starting with cyclohexanone by cyclization of bis(1-cyanocyclohexyl)amine, reducing with lithium aluminum hydride to form 1,4-diaza(2,2,5,5)-dipentamethylene-2-imino, treating with acetic anhydride and heating with hydrochloric acid. This is set out in greater detail in an article by Helmut Egg in Monatshefto fur Chemie 106, 1167-1173 (1975). However, starting with acetone instead of cyclohexanone, the reactions do not proceed in an analogous manner to give 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-piperazin-2-one. This Egg reference teaches substituted piperazines wherein each symmetrical N⁴ -adjacent carbon is part of a six membered ring and the cyclic substituent on each N⁴ -adjacent carbon is always the same. A single cyclic substituent on the N⁴ -adjacent C atom of the fixed two-carbon bridge cannot be prepared by following the techniques of Egg.

Cis-3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one has been prepared from cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, and it is disclosed that the cis-compounds are valuable intermediates for the production of pharmaceuticals, textile auxiliary products and synthetic materials. This reference states that the trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane is converted, with excess chloracetic acid, or with salts thereof, into 1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N'-tetraacetic acid, which is quite unlike the behavior of the cis starting material. The cis-2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkane is prepared by reacting an aqueous solution of cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane with acetone cyanohydrin, and heating the reaction solution to dryness. The reference does not teach formation of a trans-5,6-polyalkylene-2-keto-diazacycloalkane, and there is no suggestion as to how it could be made. In fact, it is to be understood that the trans-2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkane cannot be made, since Bindler states that cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane behaves differently from trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; the positioning of the two primary amine moieties imparts distinctly different properties to the isomers. This difference, and particularly the essential difference in cyclization behavior of the primary amine moieties, is used to advantage in the separation of the isomers. The cis isomer cyclizes and complexes with Ni and Cu; the trans isomer does not. Nevertheless we have found that trans-2-keto-1,4-diazacyclohexane can now be formed in a manner analogous to that in which the cis-2-keto-1,4-diazacyclohexane is formed.

Following the teachings of Bindler, ethylene diamine may be substituted for cyclohexanediamine, and 3,3-dimethyl-2-keto-piperazine is obtained. However, when a substituted ethylene diamine is used, the substituents appear on the No. 6 carbon of the diaza ring. For example with 1,2-propane diamine, 3,3,6-trimethyl-2-keto-piperazine is formed; and with 2-methyl-1,2-propane diamine the compound obtained is 3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-2-keto-piperazine. No. 6-substituted and 3-substituted carbons are not symmetrical carbon atoms about the same N-adjacent atom in the diaza ring (hereinafter referred to as "symmetrical N-adjacent C atoms"). These compounds as quite unlike the novel compounds claimed. Moreover, 3,3,6,6-tetraalkyl substituted diazacycloalkan-2-ones, in which the substituents are not on symmetrical N-adjacent C atoms, are relatively ineffective UV stabilizers, confirming my experience that the more substituents on symmetrical N-adjacent C atoms, the better the stabilization effect.

It is known that 2,2,4-trimethyl-tetrahydroquinoline can be hydrogenated to form a mixture of cis and trans 2,2,4-trimethyldecahydroquinoline, and, in general, the trans isomer is the major constituent. However, 2,2-dimethyl-tetrahydroquinoxaline is not hydrogenated in an analogous manner.

It is to the problem of synthesizing polysubstituted 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkanes, efficiently and economically, so that desired compounds with polysubstituted symmetrical N-adjacent C atoms can be manufactured for commercial use, that this invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been discovered that polysubstituted 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkanes may be prepared under substantially ambient conditions from readily available starting materials, in simple, conventional apparatus, without the high risks attendant upon using hydrogen cyanide. This may be done by any of several novel syntheses.

A. A novel synthesis has been discovered wherein a cis-3,3-dialkyl-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-one is hydrogenated in the presence of a suitable hydrogenation catalyst, at elevated temperature and pressure, to yield a cis-3,3-dialkyl decahydroquinoxalin-2-one.

B. novel synthesis has been discovered wherein trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane is reacted with acetone cyanohydrin in the presence of water to yield trans-3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one.

C. A novel synthesis has been discovered (hereinafter referred to as "the ketoform synthesis") wherein a preselected 1,2-diamine is reacted with a saturated acyclic or cyclic monoketone, and, a haloform, in the presence of (i) a phase transfer catalyst (ii) an organic solvent, and (iii) solid or aqueous alkali. The phase transfer catalyst is selected from the group consisting of a tertiary or quaternary compound of an element selected from Groups VA and VIA of the Periodic Table, and, a polyether. Polyether phase transfer catalysts are especially noteworthy for their highly directive effect, that is, their ability to direct substituents on to the most desirable positions of a ring, so that polysubstituted compounds so formed exhibit exceptional UV light stability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The basic structure of the compounds prepared by the syntheses described herein, is a polysubstituted (hereafter also referred to as "substituted" for brevity) 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkane having (a) a fixed two-carbon bridge between the two N atoms (the N¹ and N⁴ atoms) of the diaza ring, the remaining portion of the ring having a variable length bridge of two or more carbon atoms, (b) an N¹ -adjacent carbonyl in the fixed two-carbon bridge, and (c) at least the N⁴ -adjacent carbon of the fixed two-carbon bridge has two substituents (hence "polysubstituted"), which may be cyclizable, that is, form a cyclic substituent. These polysubstituted compounds may be (a) monocyclic with (i) at least two acyclic substituents on the N⁴ -adjacent C atom of the fixed two-carbon bridge, or (ii) four or more acyclic substituents on the diaza ring, two of which are present on each N⁴ -adjacent C atom; or, (b) with cycliazable substituents, the compounds may include (i) one, two or more spiro substituents, thus presenting a structure with two, or three, or more unfused rings, or (ii) at least one ring fused to the diaza ring so as to form a bicyclo compound, for example, trans-3,3-dialkyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one; and, (c) the polysubstituted compounds may form dimers and biscompounds.

The diaza ring of the basic structure may have from 6 to 9 ring members, more preferably from 6 to 8 ring members, and most preferably from 6 to 7 ring members. Most preferably the diaza ring of the basic structure has 6 or 7 ring members, that is, they are either substituted piperazin-2-ones, or, 1,4-diaza-2-keto-cycloheptanes (also termed "2-keto-diazepines"), or quinoxalin-2-ones, or, benzo-1,4-diaza-2-keto-cycloheptanes, of cyclohexyl-1,4-diaza-2-keto-cycloheptanes, or, dimers or bis-compounds thereof. Typically these substituted 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkanes preferably have two substituents, which may be cyclizable, on the N⁴ -adjacent C atom of the fixed two-carbon bridge. These substituted 1,4-diaza-2-keto-cycloalkanes are especially effective UV stabilizers in substantially colorless organic materials.

As stabilizers the foregoing compounds are used in the range from about 0.01 to about 5 parts by weight, and preferably from about 0.1 to about 1.0 parts per one hundred parts (phr) of organic material subject to UV light. These materials may be low or high molecular weight materials, and particularly include homopolymers, copolymers and mixtures thereof. Examples of materials that can be stabilized against degradation due to UV light are oils; monomers, particularly α,β-olefinically unsaturated monomers such as acrylates, dienes, vinyl nitriles, and the like; and other relatively lower molecular weight materials than synthetic resinous polymers, such as alcohols, aldehydes, and the like. Examples of known materials which can be stabilized with polysubstituted 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkanes are natural rubber, synthetic rubbers such as cis-polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber, diene-nitrile rubbers, polyepihalohydrin polymers, polyurethanes, PVC resins, ABS resins, polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, polymethacrylates, polycarbonates, varnish, phenol-formaldehyde resins, polyepoxides, polyesters, and polyolefin homo and copolymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene polymers, ethylene-propylenediene polymers, ethyl-vinyl acetate polymers, and the like. The substituted 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkanes can also be used to stabilize mixtures and blends of polymeric materials such as ABS resin blends, PVC and polymethacrylate blends, and blends of polyolefin homopolymers and copolymers such as blends of polypropylene in epdm polymers.

The 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkanes prepared by the synthesis of this invention have the structural formula: ##STR1## wherein, m represents an integer in the range from 2 to 7, being the number of methylene groups forming a bridge of variable length, and some of which groups (a) together with the carbons to which they are bound, may form a cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl endo ring, or (b) be substituted; when m is 2 then (I) represents a substituted 2-keto-piperazine, and when m is 6 and cyclized, then (I) typically represents a substituted 2-keto-decahydroquinoxaline;

R₁ and R₄ independently represent hydrogen, alkyl having from 1 to about 24 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, haloalkyl having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, cyanoalkyl having from 2 to about 12 carbon atoms, aminoalkyl or iminoalkyl having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, ether groups having from 3 to about 18 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl ether or cyanoalkyl ether groups having from 4 to about 18 carbon atoms, alkenyl or aralkyl having from 7 to about 14 carbon atoms, alkylene having from 2 to about 7 carbon atoms and optionally containing a phosphite, ester or hindered phenol group;

R₄ may be oxygen; and,

R₂ and R₃ on the N⁴ -adjacent carbon of the fixed two-carbon bridge independently each represent alkyl having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, haloalkyl having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, cyanoalkyl having from 2 to about 12 carbon atoms, aminoalkyl or iminoalkyl having from 2 to about 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having from 5 to about 14 carbon atoms, hydroxycycloalkyl having from 5 to about 14 carbon atoms, alkenyl and aralkyl having from 7 to about 14 carbon atoms, alkylene having from 2 to about 7 carbon atoms and optionally containing a phosphite, ester or hindered phenol group, and which in combination, one with another, represent cycloalkyl having from 5 to about 14 carbon atoms at least four of which are cyclized and optionally containing a keto, ester, amide, ether, thio or hydroxy group.

When it is desired to prepare a compound having a substituted alkylene group in the variable length bridge of the above-identified structural formula (I), the compound may be represented by a structural formula selected from ##STR2## wherein n represents an integer in the range from 0 to about 6; so when n is 0 then (II) and (III) represent substituted 2-keto-piperazine, and when n is 4 with the variable length bridge cyclized, then (II) and (III) represent 2-keto-decahydroquinoxaline; and, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈ in the variable length bridge have the same connotation as R₂ and R₃ in (I) hereinabove, and additionally may be H, except that R₅ and R₆ are different if either is H; R₂, R₃ may be cyclizable, as may be R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈ ; and, if cyclized, the cyclic substituents may be the same or different.

Illustrative of the type of substituents that provide effective stabilization in the above-identified 2-keto-diazacycloalkanes II and III are:

where R₁ and/or R₄ is alkyl, examples are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-decyl, n-tetradecyl, n-octyldecyl, and the like;

where R₁ and/or R₄ is hydroxyalkyl, examples are 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxybutyl, 6-hydroxyhexyl, 8-hydroxyoctyl, and the like;

where R₁ and/or R₄ is haloalkyl, examples are 2-chloroethyl, 2-bromoethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2-chlorobutyl, 4-chlorobutyl, 2-chloroethylhexyl, and the like;

where R₁ and/or R₄ is cyanoalkyl, examples are 2-cyanoethyl, 3-cyanopropyl, 4-cyanobutyl, 8-cyanooctyl, and the like;

where R₁ and R₄ is aminoalkyl or iminoalkyl, examples are 2-aminoethyl, 3-aminopropyl, 4-aminobutyl, 6-aminohexyl, 2-methyl-2-aminoethyl, and the like;

where R₁ and R₄ is ether, examples are methoxyethyl, ethoxyethyl, ethoxypropyl, octyloxyethyl, phenoxyethyl, p-methylphenoxypropyl, and the like; when R₁ and/or R₄ is hydroxyalkylether or cyanoalkyl ether, examples are 2-hydroxyethyloxaethyl, p-(2-hydroxypropyl)-phenyloxapropyl, 4-hydroxybutyloxahexyl, 2-cyanoethyloxaethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl-di(oxaethyl), and the like;

for R₂, R₃, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈, examples are methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, n-hexyl, 2-ethylheptyl, n-decyl, and where the substituents are cyclizable, cyclopentyl, methylcyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, methylcyclonexyl, dimethyl cycloheptyl, piperidyl, 2-2',6-6'-tetramethyl piperidyl, and the like.

Examples of specific substituted mono-keto-diazacycloalkan-2-ones derived from compounds prepared by the synthesis of this invention, wherein the N⁴ -adjacent C atom of the fixed two carbon bridge has two substituents which may be cyclizable, are:

(a) diazamonocycloalkan-2-ones having a total of more than four substituents on the diaza ring, for example, 3,3,5,5,6-pentaalkyl-1,4-piperazin-2-one;

(b) trans-1,4-diazabicycloalkan-2-ones for example, trans-3,3-dialkyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one; and

(c) mono keto-diazatricycloalkan-2-ones, for example, 3,3-(β,β'-di-tert-butylamine)-benzodecahydroquinoxalin-2-one.

The more preferred substituted 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkane compounds are those wherein: R₁ and/or R₄ is selected from the group consisting of alkyl having from 4 to 18 carbon atoms, benzyl, cyclohexylmethyl, hydroxyalkyl having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl ether having from 4 to about 12 carbon atoms, cyanoalkyl having from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, and aminoalkyl having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, R₂, R₃, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are selected from the group consisting of alkyl having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, and polymethylene having from 5 to 6 carbon atoms which are cyclizable; only R₂, R₃ may be cyclized, or R₂, R₃ and R₅, R₆ may be cyclized; and if R₂, R₃, and R₅, R₆ are each cyclized, the cyclic substituents are different; and n is a numeral in the range from 4 to about 6 when the methylene groups are cyclized.

Examples of the aforespecified more preferred substituted mono-keto-diazaalkan-2-ones are:

N⁴ -(β-hydroxyethyl)-3,3,6-trimethyl-piperazin-2-one;

N⁴ -(β-hydroxyethyl)3,3-pentamethylene-5,5-dimethylpiperazin-2-one;

N⁴ -(β-hydroxyethyl)3,3,6-trimethyl-diazepin-2-one;

N⁴ -(β-hydroxyethyl)3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-diazepin-2-one;

N⁴ -(β-hydroxyethyl)3,3-pentamethylene-5,5-hexamethylene-diazepin-2-one;

N⁴ -(β-hydroxyethyl)3,3-pentamethylene-diazepin-2-one;

N⁴ -(β-hydroxyethyl)3,3,5,5,7,7-hexamethyl-diazepin-2-one;

N⁴ -(β-hydroxyethyl)3,3-pentamethylene-5,5,7,7-tetramethyl-diazepin-2-one;

N⁴ -(β-hydroxyethyl)3,3-dimethyl-5,5-pentamethylene-piperazin-2-one;

N⁴ -(β-hydroxyethyl)3,3,6,6-tetraethyl-5,5-pentamethylene-diazepin-2-one;

N⁴ -(β-hydroxyethyl)3,3-dimethyl-5,6-tetramethylene-diazepine-2-one;

N⁴ -(β-hydroxyethyl)3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-6,7-tetramethylene-diazepin-2-one;

cis-3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one;

cis-3,3-pentamethylene-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one;

cis-N¹ -(3',5'-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one);

trans-N¹ -(3',5'-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one;

1,4-butane-bis[N¹ -(3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one)];

trans-1,6-hexanediol-bis[N¹ -(3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxaline-2-one)dicarboxylate];

trans-1,6-hexan-bis[N¹ -(3,3-pentamethylene-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one)dicarboxylate];

and, trans-N¹ -carbobutoxy-3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one.

Most preferred substituted mono-keto-1,4-diazaalkan-2-ones are:

N¹ -dodecyl-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-2-piperazinone;

N¹ -t-octyl-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-2-piperazinone;

1,2-ethane-bis-(N'-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-2-piperazinone;

N⁴ -t-octyl-3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-2-piperazinone;

N¹ -phenyl-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-2-piperazinone;

N¹ -butyl-3,3-dimethyl-5,5-pentamethylene-2-piperazinone;

N¹ -butyl-3,3,5,5,7-pentamethyl-1,4-diazepin-2-one;

trans-3,3-pentamethylenedecahydroquinoxalin-2-one;

trans-3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one;

trans-3,3-dimethyl-N⁴ -β-hydroxyethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one;

trans N¹ -dodecyl-3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one;

trans-N¹ -benzyl-3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one;

trans-N¹ -dodecyl-3,3-pentamethylene-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one;

trans N¹ -3,3-pentamethylene-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one; and,

trans-3,3-dimethyl-N⁴ -β-hydroxyethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one.

It will now be evident that many of the substituents identified hereinabove may not be made directly by the syntheses of this invention, but by additional steps after having formed the substituted 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkane. These additional steps are well known to those skilled in the art, and do not require detailed description herein. In particular, dimers and bis compounds of substituted 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkanes can be prepared by known methods, once the desired 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkane is obtained by a chosen synthesis.

A. Hydrogenation of Unsaturated 2-keto Precursor (Synthesis "A")

Hydrogenation of 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-one with substituents, which may be cyclizable, on the N⁴ -adjacent C atom of the fixed two-carbon bridge, yields the decahydroquinoxalin-2-one. For example, hydrogenation may be effected with Adams catalyst, ruthenium, rhodium, Raney nickel, or other suitable hydrogenation catalyst, at a temperature in the range from about 100° C. to about 300° C. and a pressure in the range from about 1000 psi to about 3000 psi, to yield 3,3-dialkyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one. The product so obtained may thereafter be further reacted with preselected reactants to provide desired substituents on the N¹ atom, the N⁴ atom or both in a known manner. Bis compounds and dimers may be prepared.

In another particular embodiment, 3,3-pentamethylene-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-one may be hydrogenated with a hydrogenation catalyst to yield 3,3-pentamethylene-1,4-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one. Further substituents on the N¹ and N⁴ atoms may be made by conventional means, some of which are more fully described in concurrently filed and copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 835,065 which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.

B. Reaction of Trans-1,2-diaminocycloalkane with Cyanohydrin in Aqueous Medium (Synthesis "B")

As stated hereinbefore, the Bindler reference U.S. Pat. No. 2,920,077 taught that cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane reacts with acetone cyanohydrin to give cis-3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one (also identified as 3,3-dimethyl-5,6-tetramethylene-2-ketopiperazine) which melts at 165°-166° C., but that trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane behaves differently. Nevertheless it has now been found that trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane reacts with various α-hydroxy fatty acid nitriles, and are cyclized to yield a 1,4-diazacycloalkane reaction product. Generally useful are the cyanohydrins of aliphatic, araliphatic or cycloaliphatic carbonyl compounds which cyclize forming a fixed two-carbon bridge between the N¹ and N⁴ atoms of the diaza ring. Preferred are formaldehyde cyanohydrin, acetaldehyde cyanohydrin, hydrocinnamaldehyde cyanohydrin, acetone cyanohydrin, methyl ethyl ketone cyanohydrin, cyclohexanone cyanohydrin and the like.

The reaction is carried out by adding a preselected cyanohydrin at room temperature dropwise into a solution of trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexaine in water. The mixture is stirred and gradually heated to a temperature in the range from about 80° C. to about 100° C. at ambient pressure, until the reaction is completed. The product is recovered by removing the aqueous phase. The product may be solid, semisolid, or liquid, is generally insoluble in the aqueous phase, and is usually visible as a separate organic phase.

C. The Ketoform Synthesis(Synthesis "C")

It has been found that 1,2-diamines may be reacted with a saturated or unsaturated monoketone or monoaldehyde and a haloform reactant, in an organic solvent for the reactants, in the presence of aqueous or solid alkali, provided there is also supplied a phase transfer catalyst selected from the group consisting of a polyether and an onium salt including a quaternary or tertiary organic compound of a Group VA or VIA element of the Periodic Table, and salts thereof. More preferred are the tertiary amines, quaternary amines, and salts thereof. The most preferred phase transfer catalyst is a polyether, because of its highly directive nature. The reaction may be carried out at any temperature within a wide range from about the freezing point of the reaction mass to about the reflux temperature of the solvent, provided it is lower than a temperature which is deleterious to the 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkane formed. The reaction is of particular interest because it generally proceeds at room temperature at satisfactory speed, substantially faster than the aforedescribed synthesis "B", with better yields. The reaction may also be carried out at any desired pressure from subatmospheric to superatmospheric, but atmospheric pressure is preferably employed for convenience, and because there appears to be no substantial advantage to be gained from operating at higher pressures.

The 1,2-diamines may include two primary amine moieties, one primary amine moiety and one secondary amine moiety, or two secondary amine moieties. The amine is chosen to provide, upon cyclization, the desired number of C atoms in the variable length bridge, and also to provide the desired substituents on preselected C atoms of this bridge. It will thus be evident that a straight chain or acyclic diamine will be appropriate where a monocyclo-1,4-diazacycloalkane is to be synthesized.

By "onium salts" I more particularly refer to tertiary or quaternary amines and salts such as are generally used in the phase transfer catalysis of heterogeneous reactions in immiscible liquids. The general requirement for the onium salt chosen is that it be soluble in both the organic and aqueous phases, when these two liquid phases are present, and usually a little more soluble in the organic phase than the aqueous phase. The reaction will also proceed with a phase transfer catalyst when there is only a single organic liquid phase present, but such a reaction is less preferable than one in which both aqueous and organic liquid phases are present. A wide variety of onium salts is effective in this ketoform synthesis.

The onium salts include the well-known salts, tertiary amines and quaternary compounds of Group VA elements of the Periodic Table, and some Group VIA elements such as are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,432 and in a review in Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English, 16 493-558 (August 1977). Discussed therein are various anion transfer reactions where the phase transfer catalyst exchanges its original ion for other ions in the aqueous phase, making it possible to carry out chemistry there with the transported anion, including OH⁻ ions.

The onium salts used in this synthesis include one or more groups having the formula (R_(n) Y)⁺ X⁻, wherein Y is either a pentavalent ion derived from an element of Group VA, or a tetravalent ion derived from an element of Group VIA; R is an organic moiety of the salt molecule bonded to Y by four covalent linkages when Y is pentavalent, and three covalent linkages when Y is tetravalent; X⁻ is an anion which will dissociate from the cation (R_(n) Y)⁺ in an aqueous environment. The group (R_(n) Y)⁺ X⁻ may be repeated as in the case of dibasic quaternary salts having two pentavalent Group VA ions substituted in the manner described.

The preferred onium salts for use in the invention have the formula

    (R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4 Y.sup.+)X.sup.-

wherein Y is N or P, and R¹ -R⁴ are monovalent hydrocarbon radicals preferably selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, and cycloalkyl moieties or radicals, optionally substituted with suitable heteroatom-containing functional groups. The onium salts are generally selected to be less preferentially less soluble in the less polar of the two distinct liquid phases. Any of the salts disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,432 will be found effective, but most preferred are those in which the total number of carbon atoms in R¹,R²,R³, and R⁴ cumulatively range from about 13 to about 57, and preferably range from about 16 to about 30. Most preferred onium salts have Y=N, and hydrocarbon radicals where R¹ is CH₃, and R², R³, and R⁴ are each selected from the group consisting of n-C₄ H₅ ; n-C₅ H₁₁ ; mixed C₅ H₁₁ ; n-C₆ H₁₃ ; mixed C₆ H₁₃ ; C₆ H₅ ; C₆ H₅ CH₂ ; n-C₈ H₁₇ ; n-C₁₂ H₂₅ ; n-C₁₈ H₃₇ ; mixed C₈ -C₁₀ alkyl; and the like. However, R¹ may also be selected from C₂ H₅,n-C₃ H₇ and n-C₄ H₉.

Various counterions may be used, including Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, NO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ⁼, HSO₄ ⁻ and CH₂ CO₂ ⁻. Most preferred is Cl⁻.

The tertiary amines or triamines useful as phase trasfer catalysts in this synthesis include the alkyl amines and the aryldialkylamines, exemplified by tributylamine and phenyldibutylamine respectively, which are commonly available, wherein each alkyl may have from 1 to about 16 carbon atoms.

The polyethers useful as catalysts in this synthesis include cyclic polyethers such as the crown ethers, disclosed in Agenwandte Chemie, supra, and acyclic polyethers having the formula

    R--O--R'

wherein R and R' are independently alkyl having from 1 to about 16 carbon atoms, or alkyl containing substituted functional groups such as hydroxy, sulfur, amine, ether, etc. Most preferred acyclic polyethers have the formula

    R--(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.r OR"

wherein

R is alkyl having from 1 to about 16 carbon atoms

R" is alkyl having from 1 to about 16 carbon atoms, or H, and

r is an integer in the range from 0 to about 300.

Most preferred are commonly available polyethers such as: tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether; polyethylene oxide (mol wt about 5000); poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether); 1,2-dimethoxyethane; diethyl ether, and the like.

Polyether catalysts are especially desirable in this ketoform synthesis because they are directive so as to produce a preponderance of the desired symmetrically substituted isomer, in a reaction which is remarkably free of undesirable byproducts, which reaction proceeds with a relatively mild exotherm so that the reaction is controllable.

The organic solvent may be any solvent in which the reactants are soluble and include hydrohalomethylenes, particularly hydrochloromethylenes, sulfolane, dibutyl ether, dimethyl sulfone, diisopropyl ether, di-n-propyl ether, 1,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, benzene, toluene, hexane, carbon tetrachloride and the like. Most preferred solvents are hydrochloromethylenes.

The presence of a haloform, such as chloroform, iodoform or bromoform appears to take part in the reaction as a necessary reagent, but also presumably as a catalyst, though the precise mechanism or the manner in which the haloform affects the reaction, is not understood. This hypothesis that a haloform is essential is based upon the fact that, when another solvent is substituted for the haloform, the reaction does not proceed without at least a trace of the haloform. The amount of haloform used does not appear to be critical, and only a minor amount by volume, as compared with the volume of organic solvent used, suffices. Preferred haloforms are chloroform and bromoform. It is essential that at least a stoichiometric amount of haloform be used if no amine is to be left unreacted. Though a small amount of unreacted amine is not deleterious, it is desirable to employ a slight excess over stoichiometric of the haloform to avoid unreacted amine. Though an excess, up to about a 50% excess over stoichiometric provides acceptable results, more than 50% over stoichiometric is to be avoided because of the formation of undesirable side products. A preferred amount of haloform is in excess of 20 percent by weight of the reaction mass, and chloroform is most preferred.

Though the amount of phase transfer catalyst used is not critical, its catalytic function appears to be unique in this cyanohydrin reaction. In general, it is sufficient to use no more onium salt catalyst than about 2 percent by weight of the reaction mass, and it is preferred to use in the range from about 0.1 to about 1 percent by weight.

The mono-ketone is preferably saturated and may be cyclic or acyclic. Useful ketones are those which cyclize forming a fixed two-carbon bridge between the N¹ and N⁴ atoms of the diaza ring. Preferred monoketones are cycloalkanones, dialkylketones and aralkylketones.

The monoaldehyde is preferably saturated and may be cyclic or acyclic. Useful monoaldehydes are those which cyclize forming a fixed two-carbon bridge between the N¹ and N⁴ atoms of the diaza ring. Preferred monoaldehydes are cycloaldehydes, dialkylaldehydes and aralkylaldehydes.

It will presently be recognized from the examples herein, that polyketones and polyaldehydes, for example diketones and dialdehydes, will yield bis compounds.

The preferred alkali is an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution such as aqueous sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide, preferably in the range from about 20 percent to about 70 percent solutions. If the alkali metal hydroxide is used in solid form, it is preferably in finely divided powder form typically less than 80 U.S. Standard mesh in size. The amount used is not critical but at least a trace amount appears to be essential for the progress of the desired reaction. It is preferred to use sufficient aqueous alkali solution to form a visually distinct aqueous phase in the presence of the organic solvent phase. In general, the amount of aqueous alkali used is preferably at least 5 percent by weight of the reaction mass. There is no advantage to using more aqueous alkali than about 75 percent by weight of the reaction mass.

In general, this synthesis "C" described immediately hereinabove, will provide a solid reaction product of 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkane with substituents both at the 5-position (that is, the N⁴ -adjacent C atom of the variable length bridge), and also the N¹ -adjacent C atom of the variable length bridge. In addition, where an amine moiety has an alkyl (say) substituent either the N¹ or N⁴ atom, or both, may be alkyl substituted. Thus, starting with N-propyl-2-methyl-1,2-proppanediamine, the synthesis yields both N¹ -propyl-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-2-piperazinone and N⁴ -propyl-3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-2-piperazinone.

The following examples serve to illustrate the invention. Where not otherwise stated, parts are given as parts by weight and the temperatures in degrees centigrade.

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of 3-hexyl-3-methyl-cis-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one by synthesis "A": ##STR3##

1.5 g 3-hexyl-3-methyl-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-one in 30 ml ethanol is hydrogenated at about 180° C. and under about 2000 psi in the presence of 0.4 g ruthenium (5%) on charcoal. Hydrogenation is allowed to proceed for about 3 hours after which the hydrogenated mixture is filtered. The solvent is then removed and the residue distilled under 0.2 mm Hg at about 157°-158° C., to yield about 1.1 g of an oily product which upon trituration with hexanes, gives a white solid. The above structure is confirmed by IR,NMR,GC and mass spectrometer data.

In a manner analogous with the foregoing, 3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-one is hydrogenated at about 130° C. and 1500 psi in the presence of rhodium (5%) on charcoal in 2 hours, to yield cis-3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one.

Other cis-2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkane compounds which are polysubstituted polycyclic compounds may be formed by contacting a precursor polysubstituted polycyclic unsaturated 2-keto-1,4-diaza compound with hydrogen in the presence of the hydrogenation catalyst at a temperature above about 100° C. but below a temperature which is deleterious to the polycyclic cis-2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkane formed. Polysubstituted polycyclic trans-2-keto-1,4-diaza unsaturated compounds are not similarly obtained by hydrogenation.

EXAMPLE 2

A. Preparation of trans-3,3-dimethyl-1,4-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one by synthesis "B": ##STR4##

A mixture of cis and trans isomers of 1,2-diaminocyclohexane are dissolved in 500 ml water in a 3-necked flask, and acetone cyanohydrin was slowly added over a period of 45 mins. The mixture was stirred for an additional hour at room temperature, then warmed to 90°-95° C. and maintained at that temperature for 20 hrs. The reaction mixture was then cooled, filtered and the water removed from the filtrate. Crystals obtained by recrystallization from acetone were found to be the trans isomer of 3,3-dimethyl-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one. The melting point of the crystals was about 218.5°-219.5° C.

Elemental analysis calculated: 65.9%C; 15.37%N; 9.95%H.

Analysis found: 66.23%C; 15.53%N; 20.06%H.

EXAMPLE 3

Preparation of N¹,N⁴ -dimethyl-3,3-dimethyl-2-piperazinone by ketoform synthesis "C". ##STR5##

8.8 g N,N'-dimethyl-ethylene diamine, 12.0 g CHCl₃, and 6.0 g acetone are placed in a 250 ml flask in an ice-bath, and 1.1 g BTAC added. To provide a homogeneous organic liquid phase, 100 ml dichloromethane is added. Then 40 ml conc NaOH (50% by wt) is dripped into the flask over about 30 mins. The reaction is allowed to proceed for about 5 hr and the reaction product is worked up by dissolving in a minimum amount of water, and then enough dichloromethane is added to provide two distinct layers. The aqueous layer is extracted twice with 50 ml dichloromethane, washed and worked up in a conventional manner. Upon distillation the product is obtained. The foregoing structure of the compound is supported by IR, NMR, GC and mass spectrometer data.

EXAMPLE 4

In a manner analogous to that described in Example 3 hereinabove, N¹ -propyl-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-2-piperazinone is prepared according to the ketoform synthesis "C", utilizing acetone, chloroform, and a phosphonium salt. The specific phosphonium salt used is (C₄ H₉)₃ P⁺ C₁₆ H₃₃ Br⁻. Upon working up in the usual manner, pure white crystalline needles of product are obtained.

EXAMPLE 5

Preparation of N¹ -propyl-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-2-piperazinone (I) and N⁴ -propyl-3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-2-piperazinone (II) by ketoform synthesis "C": (one primary and one secondary amine moieties) ##STR6##

6.5 g N-propyl-2-methyl-1,2-propanediamine and 50 ml methylene chloride are placed in a 250 ml flask. 32 g acetone and 6.9 g chloroform are added to the flask, followed by 0.5 g BTAC. While stirring in an ice-bath, 20 ml conc NaOH (50% by wt) was added dropwise over about 0.5 hr. Water is added after 6.5 hr until all solids go into solution. Two distinct liquid phases are formed, and the layers are separated. The aqueous layer is extracted several times with 40 ml methyl chloride. The combined methylene chloride solutions are washed several times with H₂ O, dried and concentrated. 8.6 g of a light yellow oil are obtained which is identified as (I) and (II) in a 7:3 ratio. The oil is distilled at 125°-7° C./8 mm and a colorless oil mixture of the compounds (I) and (II) is obtained. The foregoing structure of the compounds is supported by IR, NMR, GC and mass spectrometer data.

EXAMPLE 6

A. Preparation of 3,3-pentamethylene-2-quinoxalinone by ketoform synthesis "C": (two primary amine moieties) ##STR7##

In a 500 ml 3-neck flask place 10.8 g of o-phenylene diamine in 120 ml dichloromethane. Add 14.7 g of cyclohexanone and 18.06 g of chloroform, and stir. While stirring, 1.14 g of BTEA are added to the flask. Then add 40 ml conc NaOH (50% by wt) to the reaction mixture dropwise, so the temperature does not exceed 30° C. The reaction mixture is stirred vernight. Two distinct phases are formed which are separated, filtered, and worked up to yield 20 g off-white solid after washing with H₂ O (insoluble in both aqueous base and CH₂ Cl₂). The CH₂ Cl₂ solution is concentrated after drying. Cyclohexanone is distilled off under vacuum, and the residue triturated with benzene to obtain 1 g more of solid. The total yield is 11 g (51% by wt). The solid is dissolved in ethanol and conventionally hydrogenated.

Hydrogenation is conveniently effected with metal catalysts such as reduced nickel, Raney nickel, rhodium, ruthenium, platinum oxide or palladium, preferably deposited on a support such as charcoal. The temperature of reaction is from about 20° C. to about 350° C. Times of reaction are from about 0.5 to 8 hours or more. High pressures, ranging up to 2000 psig are characteristic of the process. The hydrogenated compound is identified by carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen analysis, mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy, as cis-decahydro-3,3-pentamethylene-quinoxalin-2-one. (A Perkin-Elmer Model 270 or duPont Model 21-490 mass spectrometer and a Varian A-60 NMR spectrometer are used).

B. In a manner analogous to that described in Example 6A hereinabove, BTAC is replaced with 1.5 g Aliquat* 336, stated to be N-methyl-N,N,N-tri(octyl,decyl)ammonium chloride. The product obtained is the same as that obtained with BTAC.

With 0.5 parts of the novel hydrogenated compound formed in each of the foregoing examples 6A and 6B is blended into 100 parts polypropylene, and the composition is formed into film and tested in a manner analogous to that described in Example 1, the tests indicate that the composition is UV stable for more than 6000 hrs.

EXAMPLE 7

Preparation of trans-3,3-pentamethylene-decahydro-2-quinoxalinone by ketoform synthesis "C": ##STR8##

In a 500 ml flask is placed 5.7 g of trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and 100 ml dichloromethane. 5.9 g cyclohexanone and 6.6 g chloroform are added, followed by 0.57 g BTAC. While stirring, 25 ml conc NaOH (50% by wt) are added very slowly in about 30 min. The reaction mixture is stirred overnight, then refluxed for 5 hr. As in the foregoing example, two layers of liquid are formed, and the reaction mixture is worked up and triturated with acetone. About 0.5 g of white solid is obtained. The above structure of the compound is supported by IR, NMR, GC and mass spectrometer data.

In an analogous manner, a mixture of cis- and trans- isomers of 1,2-diamino-cyclohexane is reacted with cyclohexanone and chloroform to yield a mixture of cis- and trans- isomers of 3,3-pentamethylene-decahydro-2-quinoxalinone.

EXAMPLE 8

Preparation of 3-hexyl-3-methyl-cis-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one by the ketoform synthesis "C": (two primary amine moieties). This compound was made in Example 1 by synthesis "A". ##STR9##

5.4 g o-phenylenediamine and 70 ml CHCl₃ are placed in a 250 ml flask cooled in an ice-bath. 10.2 of 2-octanone are added followed by 0.5 g BTAC. While stirring, 25 ml conc NaOH (50% by wt) are added dropwise in 30 min. The reaction mixture is kept in an ice-bath for 2.5 hrs, then at room temperature overnight. Gas chromatography (F & M Scientific Corp. Model 810 using a 6'×0.25" column packed with 10% OV-17silicone rubber (methyl and phenyl is used) indicated absence of starting material. Water is added to dissolve the solid and the solution is separated into two layers. The aqueous layer is extracted with 40 ml CHCl₃ and the combined CHCl₃ solutions washed with water. The organic phase is dried and concentrated. An orange solid, identified as 3-hexyl-3-methyl-tetrahydroquinoxalin-2-one, is recovered, 1.5 g of which is dissolved in 30 ml ethanol and hydrogenated with 0.4 g ruthenium (5%) or charcoal at 180° C. under 2000 psi for 3 hrs. The product is filtered and the solvent removed. Upon distillation an oil is recovered which is triturated with hexanes to give a white solid. Upon recrystallization a white solid is recovered which melts at 115.7° C. and is identified as 3-hexyl-3-methyl-cis-decahydroquinoxalin-2-one.

0.5 Parts of the novel hydrogenated compound is blended into polypropylene, and the composition is formed into film and tested in a manner analogous to that described in Example 1. The tests indicate that the composition is UV stable for more than 6000 hrs.

EXAMPLE 9

Preparation of N¹ -isopropyl-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-piperazin-2-one: ##STR10##

In a 1 liter flask cooled in an ice-bath, put 1 g mol of N¹ -isopropyl-2-methyl-1,2-propanediamine, 1.25 g mols of chloroform, and, 1.25 g mols of acetone. Add about 5% by wt tributylamine as the phase transfer catalyst, and slowly drip into the flask about 3 g mols of 50% aqueous NaOH solution, while stirring. Upon working up the reaction product in a conventional manner, a reaction product is obtained which is predominantly the compound represented by the structural formula immediately hereinabove. A minor amount of N¹ -isopropyl-3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-piperazin-2-one is also recovered.

EXAMPLE 10

Preparation of N¹ -tert-octyl-5,5-dimethyl-3,3-pentamethylene-piperazin-2-one: ##STR11##

In a manner analogous to that described hereinabove in Example 9, starting with N¹ -tert-octyl-2-methyl-1,2-propanediamine, chloroform and cyclohexanone, about 5% by wt of tributylamine is found to catalyze a reaction with 50% aqueous alkali so as to to yield predominantly the compound represented by the structural formula immediately hereinabove.

EXAMPLE 11

A. Preparation of N¹ -(β-hydroxy-t-butyl)-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-piperazin-2-one: ##STR12##

In a manner analogous to that described hereinabove in Example 9, starting with N¹ -(β-hydroxy-tert-butyl)-2-methyl-1,2-propanediamine, about 5% by wt of tripentylamine catalyzes a reaction with 50% by wt aqueous NaOH solution to yield predominantly the compound represented by the structural formula immediately hereinabove.

B. In an analogous manner, starting with N¹ -isopropyl-2-methyl-1,2-propane-diamine, chloroform and methyl isobutyl ketone, the reaction with aqueous 50% NaOH solution in the presence of 4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo (8,8)-hexacosane (commerically available as Cryptand 2,2,2) produces a polysubstituted compound identified as N¹ -isopropyl-3,5,5-trimethyl-4-isobutyl-2-piperazinone having a m pt of 56.8° C.

EXAMPLE 12

A. Preparation of trans-1,2-cyclohexane-bis-N¹ -(3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-2-piperazinone): ##STR13##

The above bis-compound, having a m pt of 220°-1° C., and identified by the structural formula written immediately hereinabove, is produced in a manner analogous to that described in Example 9 hereinabove, by starting with trans-1,2-cyclohexane-bis-N¹ -(2-methyl-1,2-propanediamine), chloroform and acetone.

B. In a manner analogous to that described in Example 12A hereinabove, starting with trans-1,2-cyclohexane-bis-N¹ -(2-methyl-1,2-propanediamine), chloroform and methylethylketone, a reaction with 50% aqueous NaOH solution is catalyzed by 1,3-bis-(dimethylamino)-butane to yield predominantly a compound having a m pt of 205°-8° C., and identified as trans-1,2-cyclohexane-bis-N¹ -(3,5,5-trimethyl-3-ethyl-2-piperazinone).

C. In a manner analogous to that described hereinabove in Example 9, but starting with N¹,N³ -ditert-butyl-2-methyl-1,2,3-propanetriamine, acetone and chloroform, the reaction with aqueous alkali is catalyzed by tetraethylene glycol dimethylether to yield a compound having a m pt of 53°-5° C. and identified as 1-tert-butyl-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-(N-tert-butyl-aminomethyl)-2-piperazinone.

The desired polysubstituted compounds, with substituents directed predominantly to the 3 and 5 carbon atoms of the diaza ring, are also produced with polyethylene glycol oxide having a mol wt of about 5000; poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether); crown ethers; 1,2-dimethoxyethane; diethyl ether, and the like. The reactions catalyzed by the polyethers tend to be less exothermic than reactions catalyzed by the onium salts, and therefore generally easier to control.

D. In a manner analogous to that described in Example 9 hereinabove, starting with trans-1,2-phenyl-bis-N¹ -(2-methyl-1,2-propanediamine), chloroform and acetone, a compound having a m pt of 172°-5° C. is recovered which is identified as o-phenylene-bis-N¹ (3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-2-piperazinone).

E. In a manner analogous to that described in Example 12D hereinabove, starting with N¹ -isopropyl-2-methyl-1,2-propanediamine, chloroform and methylphenylketone, trihexylamine catalyzes a reaction with aqueous alkali to produce N¹ -isopropyl-3,5,5-trimethyl-4-phenyl-2-piperazinone which has a m pt of 73°-6° C. 

I claim:
 1. A method which is directive for preparing symmetrical polysubstituted 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkanes, said method comprising:contacting a 1,2-diamine, a saturated monoketone and haloform in the presence of aqueous or solid alkali and a catalytic effective amount of a phase transfer catalyst of the formula

    R--O--R'

wherein R and R' are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl having 1 to 16 carbon atoms and substituted alkyl wherein said substituents can be hydroxy, sulfur, amine or ether.
 2. The method of claim 1 including, forming a polysubstituted unsaturated 2-keto-1,4-diaza cyclic compound, and hydrogenating said unsaturated cyclic compound to form said polysubstituted 2-keto-1,4-diazacycloalkane compound.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said 1,2-diamine is selected from the group consisting of o-phenylenediamine and cyclohexyldiamine; said monoketone is selected from a cyclic ketone and an acyclic ketone; said haloform is selected from chloroform and bromoform; and, said alkali is an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide.
 4. The method of 1 wherein said phase transfer catalyst has the formula

    R--(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.r OR"

wherein R is alkyl having from 1 to about 16 carbon atoms, R" is alkyl having from 1 to about 16 carbon atoms, or H, and r is an integer in the range from 0 to about
 300. 5. The method of claim 1 which comprises reacting N¹ N³ -di-tert-butyl-2-methyl-1,2,3-propanetriamine with acetone, in the presence of (i) chloroform, (ii) sodium hydroxide and (iii) as a phase transfer catalyst, tetraethylene glycol dimethylether 